Portland

Working my way backwards through October... the weekend of October 11th Holly and I went to Portland to visit Jen.  The idea was hatched at Porco's Tiki bar on that magical "explore Cleveland see where you end up" day over the summer and like most spontaneous ideas that involve Jen- it was crazy and also worth it.  I'd been wanting to see Portland forever and she was hoping to show me her favorite things before her potential move back to Cleveland. No time like the present, right?  

Portland was really great.  I can see why she loves it there. All the houses are cute, it smells like the mountains, and the weather was super temperate for October.  Here are some photo highlights...

Washington Park, Japanes Garden and Pittock Mansion (day one)

We discovered that literally everyone likes to state very obvious things to each other, and nod emphatically back, while watching koi.

The Rose Garden was an unexpected delight.

Tiki bar take two!

Then food at a pub where we shared a table with the consumate Portland hipsters. 

Then drinks at an amazing bar where I legit fell asleep on the porch swing because travel is exhausting.

The A-frame in the woods that H and stayed at for one of the nights. It was. Perfect.

And there were goats.

Waterfalls and Rooster Rock state park on day two.

WINDY picnic!  Lots of grocery shopping on the way. 

Jen's beloved nude beach.  Not really the ideal day to fully enjoy it. ;) 

But who knew a river could be so pretty?

Finished the day with many small feasts of mushrooms and dips and cheeses, and day drinking and TV in a floor nest.  The quintessential Jen experience. :) 

And a silly tipsy walk around her neighborhood, which was amazingly fun because Jen makes everything fun.

It was a joy to be with her and see her lovely home in this lovely place... but I am still hoping that she comes back home soon because I want Jen-time like this more often, and without quite so long of plane flights.